i  r' 


iVLAiliii-U-r  BUUiv— HUYV  TO  “MAKE-Ur.  A  practical  guide  foi 
matenrs,  with  Twenty-three  colored  Illustrations.  Price  50  cents. 


No.  cexxxi. 


F  RENCH’S  STANDARD  DRAMA 


!  in 


HE  KNIGHT  OF  ARVA 


A  COMIC  DRAMA,  IN  TWO  ACTS 


By  DION  BOURCICAULT, 


Author  of  “  London  Assurance,”  “Old  Heads  and  Young  Heart-,’ 
14  Used  IJp,”  ‘  Phantom,”  “  And)  Blake,”  &c.,  Ac. 


W  ITH  CAST  OF  CH  ARACTERS,  STAGE  BUSINESS,  COSH  OKIES 
RELATIVE  POSITIONS,  ETC.,  ETC. 


AS  PERFORMEL  AT  THE  PRINCIPAL  THEATRES. 


New  York: 

SAMUEL  FRENCH  &  SON, 


PUBLISHERS 


28  West  23d  Street. 


London : 

SAMUEL  FRENCH, 


PUBLISHER 


89  STRAND. 


i 


Ji 


i-£  BOX. 

jbonfcitoing  Rouge,  Pearl  Po'  <;t  r,  Whiting,  Mongol  i."  n,  Ruddy  Rouge,  Violet  Powder 
a  r.d  pjjff;  Chrome,  Blue,  1  .r  it  Cork  Pencils  for  tae  eyelids.  Spirit  Gum,  India  Ink, 
M/  o*  H f“ir  Brushes,  Hare’s  Foci,  "Wool,  Craped  F  dr,  old  Cream,  Joining  Paste,  Min* 
Iffs,  Scissors  and  Looku  g  Glass,  packed  neatly  in  Strong  Fancy  Card-boar^ 
,  joo ;  Elegant  Tin  Caste,  S5.00.  .,  ,  -j 


1V5  ARTICLES  TO  BE  ?AD  SEPJSATELY.  PAR  PRICES.  SCP  ftATULftP* 


SCENERY. 


With  6  view  to  obviate  the  gr«at  difficulty  eiporiencod  by  Amateurs  (par- 

ticularly  in  country  houses)  in  obtaining  Scenery*  &c.,  to  fix  m  a  Drawing  Koom, 
and  then  only  by  considerable  outlay  for  hire  and  great  damage  caused  to  walls, 
we  have  decided  to  keep  a  series  of  Scenes,  &c.,  coloured  on  strong  paper,  which 
can  be  joined  together  or  pasted  on  canvas  or  wood,  according  to  requirement. 
Full  directions,  with  diagrams  shewing  exact  size  of  Back  Scenes,  Borders,  and 
Wings,  can  be  had  free  on  application.  The  following  four  Beenes  each  consists 
of  thirty  sheets  of  paper. 


GARDEN. 


The  above  is  Bn  illustration  of  this  scene.  It  is  kept  in  two  sizes.  The  small 
size  would  extend  to  15  feet  wide  and  8  feet  high,  and  the  large  size  to  20  feet 
long  and  11*  feet  high.  It  is  not  necessary  to  have  the  scene  the  height  of  the 
room,  as  blue  paper  to  represent  sky  is  usually  hung  at  the  top.  Small  size,  with  i 
Wings  and  Border  complete,  $7.50  ;  larg<<  size,  do.,  $10.00. 


WOOD. 


This  is  similar  in  style  to  the  above,  only  a  wood  scene  2a  introduced  in  the 
centre.  It  is  kept  in  two  sizes,  as  the  previous  scene,  and  blue  paper  can  be 
introduced  as  before  indicated.  Small  size,  with  Wings  and  Borders  com¬ 
plete,  $7.50  ;  large  size,  c!o.,  $10.00.  ...... 

TR°OT,T  This  is  a  sh&et  of  paper  on  which  foliage  is 

drawn,  which  can  be  repeated  and  cut  in  any  shape  required.  Small  size,  30  in. 
by  20  in.,  25  cts.  per  sheet.;  large  size,  40  in.  by  30  in.,  35  cts.  per  shoet. 


DRAWING  ROOM. 

This  8oene  is  only  kept  in  the  large  size,  to  extend  to  20  feet  long  and  11*  feet 
high.  In  the  centre  is  a  French  window,  leading  down  to  the  ground,  which 
could  be  made  practicable  if  required.  On  vhe  left  wing  is  a  fire-place  with 
mirror  above,  and  on  the  right  wing  is  an  oil  painting.  The  whole  scene  is 
tastefully  ornamented  and  beautifully  coloured,  forming  a  most  elegant  picture. 
Should  a  box  scene  be  required  extra  wings  can  be  had,  consisting  of  doors  each 
side,  which  could  be  mado  practicable.  Price,  with  Border  and  one  set  of 
Wings,  $10.;  with  Border  and  two  sets  of  Wings,  to  form  box  scene,  $12.50. 


COTTAGE  INTERIOR. 

This  is  also  kept  in  the  large  size  only.  In  the  centre  is  a  door  leading 
outside.  On  the  left  centre  is  a  rustic  fireplace,  and  the  right  centre  is  a  window. 
On  the  wings  are  painted  shelves,  &c. ,  to  complete  the  scene.  A  box  scene  can  ba 
uiidf  bv  purchasing  extra  wings,  as  before  described,  and  forming  doors  on  eaob 
side.  Price,  with  Border  and  one  set  of  Wings,  $10.00  ;  with  Border  and  two 
sets  of  Wings,  to  form  box  scene,  $12.50.  i 


The 


Drawing  E,oom  mounted  can  he  seen  at  28  West  23d  St.,' 
New  York.  Full  directions  accompany  each  Scen^^j 


THE  KNIGHT  OF  ARVA: 


%  Comit  grama, 


IN  TWO  ACTS. 


By  DION  BOUCICAULT, 

AUTHOR  AND  ADAPTATOR  OF 


Awodon  Assurance,  Irish  Heiress,  A  Lover  by  Proxy,  Alma  Mater,  Curiosities  of  Literature,  Tbt 
Bastile,  The  Old  Guard,  Woman,  Victor  and  Hortense,  Love  in  a  Sack,  Lolah,  Used  up,  Ola 
Heads  and  Young  Hearts,  Don  Caesar  de  Bazan,  A  Match  for  a  King,  Mother  and  Son,  Fox  an< 
Goose,  Laying  a  Ghost,  The  Confidence,  The  Old  School,  Found  Out  at  Home,  The  Water  Cure 
Shakspeare  in  Love,  Love  and  Money,  The  Willow  Copse,  Satamandine,  Geralda,  Invisibi* 
Husband,  A  Radical  Cure,  Love  in  a  Maze,  Sextus  Fifth,  The  Garde  Mobile,  Queen  of  Spades 
Corsican  Brothers,  The  Vampire,  The  Prima  Donna,  Genevieve,  The  Young  Actress,  The  Fox 
Hunt,  Andy  Blake,  Faust  and  Margaret,  Louis  XI.,  Apollo  in  X.  Y.,  Janet  Pride,  The  Chamelion, 
The  Fairy  Star,  The  Life  of  an  Actress,  The  t  hantom,  Azael,  Una,  Nothing  in  It,  Blue  Belle, 
George  D'Arville,  Poor  of  New  York,  Jessie  Brown,  Vanity  Fair,  Octoroon,  Jennie  Deans 
Golleen  Bawn,  etc.,  etc.,  etc. 


TO  WHICH  ARE  ADDED 


l  Description  of  the  Costume — Cast  of  the  Characters — Entrance*  and  Exit*— 
Relative  Positions  of  the  Performers  on  the  Stage,  and 
the  whole  of  the  Stage  Business 


New  York: 

SAMUEL  FRENCH  &  SON, 

PUBLISHERS, 

48  WEST  23d  STREET. 


London ; 

SAMUEL  FRENCH, 

PUBLISHER, 

89,  STRAND. 


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THE  KNIGHT  OF  ARYA 


ACT  I. 

SCENE  I. — A  Posada  (or  Roadside  Inn)  in  Catalona,  2  e.r.h.  1 Moun¬ 
tainous  country  in  the  distance.  High  road  winding  down  from 
u.  e.  r.  h.  on  to  stage.  Rocky  pass  and  road  winding  up ,  u.  e.  l.  h. 
Rock  piece  and  road  winding  up,  3  e.  r.  h. 

Peasants  discovered  grouped  in  different  parts  of  the  stage  with 
baskets  of  fruit,  wine,  Sfc.,  <fc. — In  the  centre  is  a  Group,  dancing— 
Jose  handing  wine,  and  busying  himself  about ,  cleaning  scene, 

CHORUS. 

When  our  daily  toil  is  done, 

Tra-la-la.  Tra-la-la. 

Then  we  dance  till  set  of  sun, 

Tra-la-la-la-la-la-la-la.  Repeat 

Hearts  and  feet  are  heating  free, 
Tra-la-la-la-la-la, 

Nature’s  happy  children  we, 

Tra-ia-la-la,  &c.  Repeat. 

At  the  end  of  chorus ,  the  sound  of  a  whip  is  heard — Peasants  rist 

and  look  offv.  e.  r.  h. 

Enter  Manuel  u.  e.  r.  h. 

Jose.  Ah  !  here  comes  Senor  Manuel,  the  courier  of  her  highness, 
the  Princess  Marina  ! 

Manuel.  Jose,  her  highness,  the  Princess  Marina,  will  pass  yout 
posada  in  half  an  hour,  on  her  road  to  Lerida. 

Jose.  Passs  my  posada  without  refreshment !  Forbid  it  hospitali¬ 
ty  !  forbid  it  interest !  Listen,  Senor  Manuel.  Her  highness  will 
find  at  my  posada  the  best  of  cheer— the  whole  commune  shall  be  ran¬ 
sacked  to  do  honor  to  her  high  and  mighty  majesty  ! 

Man.  The  thing  is  impossible.  Her  highness’  train  consists  of  at 
least  thirty  persons — thirty  hungry  mouths,  Master  Jose— and  I  well 
remember  on  our  last  excursion  your  larder  could  turnish  no  more 
than  a  dozen  suspicious  eggs  and  a  piece  ol  mountain  kid  more  fit 


4 


THE  KNIGHT  OF  ARVA. 


for  the  tan-yard  than  the  table.  No,  the  cortege  must  proceed  to 
Lerida. 

Jose.  Senor  Manuel,  if  her  highness  pass  my  posada,  it  shall  only 
be  over  my  dead  body  !  ‘  Shall  it  be  said  that  a  commune  could  not 
furnish  cheer  for  her  train  1  Shall  we  become  the  bye-word  of  all 
Spain  1  I  will  procure  provisions,  be  satisfied.  [To  Peasants,  and 
crosses  to  c.]  Friends,  neighbors,  townsmen,  come  here !  I’ve  news  for 
y0U — great,  glorious  news  !  [Peasants  come  forward.]  Here  stands 
the  courier  of  her  most  superb  and  most  inconceivable  immensity,  the 
Queen  of  all  the  Castiles.  The  princess  doth  intend  to  rest  awhile  at 
my  humble  posada,  and  I  here  require  of  you  to  scour  the  country 
round,  and  within  the  half  hour  let  its  best  cheer  be  gathered  to 
prove  its  gratitude  for  the  unparalleled  honor.  As  magistrate  1  call  on 
you  all  to  seize,  take,  wring,  stick,  and  murder,  without  regard  to 
age  or  sex,  every  cock,  hen,  chick,  calf,  goose,  pig,  or  peacock  in  the 
commune !  Spare  nothing,  from  the  oldest  wine  to  the  newest  egg — 
away  with  ye  ! 

Music. — Peasants  repeat  last  eight  bars  of  chorus  and  exeunt , 

r.  and  l. 

Oh  !  had  I  but  known  of  this  yesterday,  we  had  the  most  beautiful 
young  ass  a  month  old,  and  my  wife  is  such  a  hand  at  a  roast ! 

Man.  But  there  is  another  matter.  Her  highness  is  accompanied 
by  Don  Diego  Yolpone,  her  minister,  and  the  ambassadors  of  Austria 
and  Fiance.  Your  posada  will  scarce  contain  the  troop. 

Arva.  [In  posada.]  Jose!  Jose! 

Man.  Your  posada,  I  perceive,  is  already  occupied.  You  have  a 
guest. 

Jose.  A  guest,  senor  !  a  guest !  He’s  a  walking  famine  !  He  has 
emptied  my  larder,  and  drunk  all  my  wine ;  heaven  send  me  rid  of 
him,  for  he  has  more  mouth  than  the  Nile. 

Arva.  [Inside.]  Jose ! 

Man.  From  his  accent  ho  appears  to  be  a  foreigner. 

Jose.  To  judge  by  his  oaths — and  you  may  always  tell  a  man’s 
country  by  his  oaths — he  should  be  a  Frenchman,  but  his  appetite 
.•onvicts  him  an  Englishman. 

Man.  A  soldier  of  fortune. 

Jose.  Of  misfortune,  senor.  He  has  ruined  me ! 

[  Crosses  to  c. 

Man.  But  why  don’t  you  get  rid  of  him  1 

lose.  By  St.  iago,  he  would  soon  get  rid  of  me  !  Besides,  Mrs. 
Jose  won’t  hear  of  his  going. 

Arva.  [Inside.]  Jose  ! 

Jooe.  Here  he  comes — the  foreign  cormorant! 

Arva.  [Inside  ]  Jose,  you  marauder,  [enter  from  posada ,]  wher<* 
are  you  7  Ah  !  why  did  you  not  answer  1 

Jose,  [c.]  Excelence,  I  did  not  hear  you. 

[Takes  off  his  hat  and  remains  uncovered. 

Arva.  Then  you  should  have  said  so  at  once.  Give  me  another 


THE  KNIGHT  OP  ARVA. 


leather.  [Throws  leather  in  Jose 's  face.]  Here’s  Tippitiwitchet  has 
caught  a  speck  of  rust,  poor  soul ;  how  thin  he  looks  ;  ’tis  five  months 
since  he  tasted  any  food,  and  the  last  was  a  mere  smack,  the  rascal¬ 
ly  wine-skin  of  a  landlord  at  Saragossa,  whom  I  pricked  in  the 
sesophagus. 

Jose.  Iu  the  where  I 

Arra.  The  aesophagus — so  the  doctor  said  when  he  gave  him  up. 

Jose.  Poor  devil !  what  was  the  crime,  your  excellence  ? 

Arva.  [ Business  with  sword — Jose  avoids  him,  and  gets  to  r.  h.] 
The  ignorant  malefactor  said  that  Spain  grew  the  finest  sherry  in  the 
world,  when  I  well  knew  that  I  had  tasted  finer  sherry  in  Galway 
than  I  ever  hear  of  here.  [  Crosses  to  c.  and  takes  his  hat  off  to  Man¬ 
uel.]  Your  servant — whose  livery  may  you  wear  I 

Man.  [ Scanning  him  rather  contemptuously .]  I  am  in  the  service 
of  the  princess  Marina. 

Arva.  So,  so — Marina,  the  Catalan,  whose  hand  has  been  sought 
by  every  sucking  potentate  of  Europe.  Aye,  Charles  of  Burgundy 
mentioned  her  to  me. 

Man.  Charles  the  Bold  !  Your  excellency  knew  that  great  prince? 

Arva.  Knew  him?  Ask  that  Italian  blackguard,  Campo  Basso, 
who,  in  our  last  battle,  betrayed  the  great  duke.  My  parting  blow  in 
that  affair  was  at  the  traitor’s  head,  and  if  an  inquisitive  bullet  had 
not  broken  my  sword  arm  before  I  got  him  fair  cut  number  five,  I 
would  have  made  twins  of  him,  by  St.  Patrick  ! 

[ Crosses  to  l. — Exit  Manuel  into  posada. 

Jose.  Your  excellency’s  pardon  !— but  the  princess  is  about  to  honor 
my  humble  posada. 

Arva.  The  princess  here  ?  [Looks  at  his  attire.]  Tete  bleu! — as  we 
swear  in  Burgundy — here’s  a  state  to  be  discovered  in  ! 

Jose.  As  your  excellency  occupies  the  principal  apartment — 

Arva.  Well,  man,  is  it  not  there  still  ?  Would  you  accuse  me  of 
pocketing  part  of  your  building  ?  You  miserable  spiggot,  go-go  to 
your  wife!  [Exit  Jose  into  posada.]  The  Princess  Marina  !— here’a  a 
chance.  But  dunner  and  blitzen ! — as  we  used  to  swear  in  Germany 
—if  I  present  myself  to  her  in  these  rags,  she  will  take  me  for  some 
beggarly  Lansquenet — yet,  to  lose  such  an  opportunity! — oh!  For¬ 
tune.  you  must  be  an  ugly  jade,  after  all,  for  I  never  yet  found  a 
good  looking  woman  I  could  not  win  a  smile  from.  [Distant  flourish 
of  trumpets.]  She  comes  !  [Runs  up  and  looks  off  r.  u.  e.J  Yes,  I  see 
the  cortege  winding  down  the  road.  [Advances  and  arranges  his 
dress  ]  Will  she  observe  my  golden  spurs  ?— by  my  honor,  in  another 
week  my  heels  would  have  had  to  serve  my  stomach,  and  that’s  a 
compliment  thev  never  have  paid  my  head.  [Cries,  and  noise  of  con¬ 
flict  off  l.  h.]  What !  is  that  the  sound  of  steel  ?  Oh!  a  traveler  in 
the  mountain’s  pass  attacked  by  brigands  !  Tippitiwitchet,  you’re 
wanted!  [Draws  sword,  and  exit  up  rocks,  l  h. 

Enter  Manuel  and  Sosv  from  posada— Peasants  enter  rapidly  at 
different  entrances ,  laden  with  various  articles  of  food  and  wine. 

Jose.  In  with  you — in — my  wife  is  ready  for  ye  ! 


6 


THE  KNIGHT  OF  ARVA. 


Peasants  pass  quickly  into  posada,  and  reappear  immediately,  hav¬ 
ing  deposited  their  burdens  within. 

Jose.  [Looking  off  r.  u.  e.  to  Manuel.]  Which  is  she?  Ah  !  I  see, 
in  the  litter  drawn  by  the  white  mules.  [ Music — A  march  is  played 

Enter  Heralds,  who  stand  r.  and  l.  of  the  road — All  the  Peasants, 
with  Manuel  and  Jose,  get  on  l.  h  ,  looking  off  R.  u.  e. 

Voice.  [Without.]  Halt! 

Enter  Count  Offenboer  r.  h.  u.  e.,  followed  by  two  Pages. 

Jose.  Who’s  that  ?  [He  goes  down  to  r.  h.  corner. 

Man.  The  Count  Offenboer,  the  Austrian  envoy.  He  never  quits 
the  princess — he  presses  the  suit  of  the  archduke. 

Enter  the  Duke  De  Chabonnes  r.  h.  u.  e.,  followed  by  two  Pages; 

gets  r.  c. 

That  is  the  ambassador  of  France. 

Enter  Volpone  r.  u.  e.  ;  goes  down  r.  c. 

Hush  !  Don  Diego  Volpone. 

Jose.  The  minister ! 

Man.  Such  is  his  influence  that  they  say  the  hand  of  the  princess  is 
almost  in  his  gift — here  he  comes  ! 

Jose.  [To  Peasants.]  Be  ready  to  shout,  you  fellows. 

Enter  the  Baroness  Buckramstern,  r.  u.  e.,  who  goes  down  l.  c. 

Oh  !  what  a  superb —  [Peasants  begin  to  shout. 

Man.  Stop  !  not  yet — that’s  the  Baroness  Buckramstern,  the  Came- 
rara  of  her  highness. 


Enter  the  Princess,  followed  by  two  Pages  and  Guard — She  goes 

down  c. 


That’s  she ! 


The  Guard  form  across  and  fill  the  back  of  the  stage — The  Peasants 
shout — As  the  Princess  enters ,  grand  flourish. 

Volpone.  Her  highness  thanks  you  for  your  duty — begone  ! 
Princess,  [c.]  Nay,  Don  Volpone,  why  dismiss  them  so  rudely  1 
[To  Peasants.]  Kind  people — 

Baroness,  [l.  c.]  Your  highness  will  surely  not  address  the  mob  ! 
Prin.  How  tedious — may  I  not  even  say  “Thanks!”  for  their 
greeting  ! 

Bar.  Was  a  royal  voice  created  to  ennoble  the  ears  of  the  rabble  ? 
Prin.  Well,  as  you  will. 

Jose.  [Advancing  l.J  May  it  please  your — your  serenity — your 
humblest — 

Volp.  Who  is  this  man? 

Man.  Excellence,  it  is  the  host. 

Volp.  Her  highness  will  receive  your  homage  in  the  form  of  your 


the  knight  of  arva. 


7 


cheer  —  to  your  spit,  man!  Let  your  eloquence  be  roast  aiuJ 

boiled !  . 

Jose.  Your  supremacy  is  tlie  perfection  of  all  that  is  in  the  right. 

The  Knight  of  Ary  a,  from  the  rocks,  leaps  on  to  the  stage— All  ad¬ 
vance— Volpone.  Chabonnes  and  Offenboer  draw  their  swords 
and  rush  before  the  Princess  —The  Baroness  gets  behind  Manuel 
—The  Guard  level  their  spears  at  Arva—  General  movement—  hv- 
erybody  cries  out  “  Treason  !” 

Arva.  I  only  killed  two  out  of  the  covey,  after  all ! 

All.  Treason! 

Offenboer.  Protect  the  princess  ! 

Chabonnes.  Cut  him  down  ! 

Volp.  Run  him  through  ! 

Bar.  Let  us  get  into  the  house,  and  then  you  can  shoot  him.  [A 
pause.]  Well,  gentlemen,  which  of  you  is  going  to  begin  7 
All.  Down  with  him  ! 

Prin.  [Advancing  c.]  Hold! 

Arva.  Angels  in  heaven  !  his  sword. 

Prin.  Your  accent,  sir,  bespeaks  you  a  foreigner.  . 

Arva.  As  your  person,  madam,  betrays  your  title  the  Princess 
Marina.  [Lays  his  sword  before  her  feet ,  and  kneels. 

Prin.  Rise,  sir.  Your  name! 

Arva.  [Rising.]  I  am  called  the  Knight  of  Arva.  I  do  not  wish  to 
humiliate  these  gentlemen  when  I  say  that  Ireland  is  my  countij  ,  niv 
only  fortune  is  my  right  arm,  and  that  that  blade,  which  has  filled 
the  hands  of  a  hundred  of  my  ancestors,  was  never  drawn  save  to  aid 
ti  e  weak,  or  sheathed  but  to  save  the  fallen  ;  I  own  no  land  but  the 
ground  on  which  I  stand,  and  I  never  met  that  gallant  yet,  who  Car¬ 
ina-  to  dispute  my  title  to  it,  could  make  me  budge  one  foot— my  birth 
is  "nobler  than  my  name — my  forefathers  so  willed  it  that  each  of  em 
might  write  his  own  patent  of  nobility  with  the  pen  that  lies  before  you; 
so,  madam,  men  call  me  Connor  the  Rash,  Knight  of  Aiva.  [Crosses  l.c. 

The  Princess  points  to  the  sword  which  Arva  has  placed  at  her 
feet — Manuel  lifts  it — She  takes  it  from,  him. 

Prin.  Knight  of  Arva — 

Bar.  Your  highness— be  circumspect. 

Volp.  You  may  commit  yourself. 

Offen.  Let  me  present  the  fellow  with  a  golden  crown. 

Chub.  Pray,  madam,  let  us  deal  with  him.  [Touching  his  swoid. 
Arva.  [Aside.]  They  are  settling  which  I  am  to  be  here— Master  oi 
Horse,  or  Captain  of  the  Guard. 

Bar.  Give  the  fellow  a  crown,  and  bid  him  go. 

/  rin  No,  I  will  not  have  it  so.  [She  takes  a  bunch  of  ribbons  from 
her  throat ,  and,  filing  them  on  the  blade ,  offers  it  to  him.]  I  fear  that 
you  have  suffered  some  indignities  at  the  hands  of  my  over-zealous 
followers!  —  you  wear  no  colors  —  accept  those  of  Marina  the 
Catalan  ! 


9 


8  THE  KNIGHT  OF  ARVA. 

Arva.  [Receiving  sword  from  Princess — crosses  io  c.]  Heavensent 
your  higliness  a  few  foes,  that  I  may  baptize  your  priceless  gift! 

[Kisses  the  hand  of  the  Princess,  and  crosses  l. 

Prin.  [Aside  to  Volpone,  as  she  enters  the  posada. ]  Now,  Yolpone, 
for  your  lecture. 

Volp.  If  your  highness  cannot  trust  to  my  judgment,  wherefore 
have  a  minister  1 

Prin.  Nay,  then,  Diego,  if  ministers  be  so  infallible,  wherefore  have 
a  queen  ? 

Exeunt  Princess,  Baroness,  Offenboer,  Volpone,  Chabonnes, 

and  Pages,  into  posada — Peasants  exit  l.  and  r.  h,  shouting — 

Flourish. 

Arva .  Paradise  and  pathos,  and  all  that’s  delicious  and  lovely ! — 
there's  a  woman  ! — what  a  voice — a  trumpet  is  nothing  to  it !  Her 
colors,  too  !  1  wear  her  colors  from  her  neck !  I  hound  mon  dioul — 
if  I  had  a  line  of  Swiss  there  now — oh,  diavolo  ! — as  we  swore  in  Lom¬ 
bardy — but  I  forgot  my  late  engagement  in  the  rocky  pass  above 
there  !  Confound  their  whirligig  paths,  I  could  not  arrive  in  time — 
and  when  at  last  I  landed,  by  a  bound,  across  a  chasm,  upon  a  ledge 
where  the  scuffle  was  going  on,  I  was  just  in  time  to  see  the  unlucky 
cavalier  run  through  by  a  vilain,  and  fall  headlong  into  the  abyss — 
away  scurries  the  covey  all  but  two,  who  turned  to  protect  their  re¬ 
treat.  “  Well,”  says  I,  “  three  are  off,  but  two  are  better  than 
none,” — aiKj  at  it  we  went — tough  blades  enough,  considering ;  but 
Tippitiwitchet  inquired  into  the  state  of  one  of  the  rascals’  liver,  with 
the  slip  under  point,  and  parrying  cut  number  eight,  from  his  friend, 
with  my  dagger,  I  felt  my  hilt  against  his  ribs.  The  blackguard  made 
a  wonderful  face,  and  slipped  over  the  precipice  before  I  could  ask 
him  what  was  the  matter  with  him.  Stooping  to  examine  my  other 
cutpurse,  I  found  this  packet  of  papers  clinched  tightly  in  his  grasp. 
[Draws  out  packet  sealed  and  hound  with  silk,}  for  “  Don  Diego  Vol¬ 
pone.”  There  now,  what  is  to  be  done  7  I  dare  not  avow  my  dis¬ 
cussion  with  these  vagabonds,  for  Spanish  laws  take  a  queer  view  of 
these  matters,  [Guard  enters  from  r.  u.  e.,  and  range  down  l.  h.,] 
and  I  only  escaped  that  affair  at  Saragossa  with  my  life  and  an  inch  to 
spare;  so,  at  the  next  town  I  will  inquire  who  this  Don  Diego  Vol¬ 
pone  may  be — some  merchant  at  Barcelona,  I  dare  say — and  I  will 
forward  the  packet  without  a  word  of  explanation. 

Captain,  [l.]  Sir  Knight,  I  crave  pardon  ! 

Arva.  Sir  7 

Capt.  I  am  deputed  to  ask  which  of  the  neighboring  kingdoms  you 
would  prefer  to  enter  1 

Arva.  You  are  very  obliging,  sir,  but  I  have  no  choice. 

Capt.  What  say  you  to  Bearne  1 

Arva.  Bearne  is  a  fine  hunting  country. 

Capt.  We  are  under  orders  to  escort  you  thither. 

Arva.  Under  orders  to  turn  me  out  I 

Capt.  With  all  possible  attention  and  respect,  but  on  the  spot. 


THE  KNIGHT  OF  ARVA. 


ft 


Arva.  Under  whose  orders,  sir1 

Capt.  Those  of  the  minister,  Don  Diego  Volpone. 

Arva.  Volpone,  the  minister1 

Capt.  Of  her  highness,  the  princess. 

Enter  Volpone  from  posada. 

Arva.  Stop  a  bit. 

[Reproduces  the  packet  and  reads — “  Don  Diego  Volpone.” 

Volp.  Himself,  sir. 

Arva.  Allow  me  to  discharge  a  sacred  trust,  sir — after  which.  I 
have  something  to  observe  to  you.  [Presents  packet. 

Volp.  A  packet  addressed  to  me1  [Opens  the  packet — another 
packet ,  sealed  with  a  broad  seal ,  inside.]  0  la!  [Aside.]  The  royal 
arms  and  signet  ot  England.  [Opens  again  and  reads. J  “  Your  excel¬ 
lency  : — The  offer  made  by  you  relative  to  the  hand  of  the  Princess 
Marina  in  favor  of  our  son,  has  been  weightily  counseled  by  us,  and 
we  receive  your  pledges  of  attachment  to  our  person  with  deep  plea¬ 
sure.  Understanding  the  dangers  and  difficulties  by  which  your 
policy  is  beset,  we  dispatch  our  trusty  ar.d  noble  cousin,  the  bearer. 
[Looks  at  Arva.]  He  will  seek  an  introduction  to  your  court  under  an 
assumed  and  modest  name,  and,  to  avoid  suspicion,  will  travel  with¬ 
out  any  suite,  hut  these  are  his  credentials.  If  your  excellency  can 
bring  our  hopes  to  a  successful  issue,  our  secret  envoy  has  our  royal 
powers  to  act  as  proxy  for  our  son.  Receive  from  us  the  enclosed 
marks  of  our  esteem,  and  the  assurance  of  our  love-  Henry  Rex.” 
Hum  !  [To  the  Guard.]  Retire. 

[lie  watches  them  as  they  exit  r.  3  e.,  then  hastily  approaches  Arva. 

Arva.  And  now,  sir,  allow  me  to  observe — 

Volp.  Your  hand — your  disguise  is  perfect — perfect! 

Arva.  My  disguise  I 

Volp.  But  your  caution  is  needed — and  now,  you  had  somewhat  to 
observe. 

Arva.  True — I  wanted  to  ask  at  what  hour  do  you  usually  dismiss 
the  cares  of  the  day,  to  indulge  in  the  necessary  relaxations  of  amuse¬ 
ment  1 

Volp.  You  seek  an  interview — to-night — 

Arva.  It  promises  to  be  fine,  and  the  moon  rises  at  eight — accident 
led  me  discover  a  little  platform  on  the  rocks  above  there. 

Volp.  I  see  it. 

Arva.  What  say  you — shall  we  continue  our  conversation  up  therel 

Volp.  Strange  place  for  business. 

Arva.  But  an  elegant  spot  for  pleasure — I’ve  tried  it.  By  the 
way,  I  may  as  well  just  mention  that  my  blade  is  three  feet  eight,  and 
my  dagger — 

Volp.  You  astonish  me — why,  this  is  a  challenge  ! 

Arva.  I  hope  I  have  omitted  nothing  essential  to  make  it  so. 

Volp.  What  offence  have  I  done  you  1 

Arva.  Your  orders  to  have  me  shown  out  of  Spain. 

Volp.  I  recall  them — I  beg  you  to  remain,  to  became  my  guest. 


10 


THE  KNIGHT  OF  ARYA. 


jKfva.  Oh  !  I  see  this  little  contemplated  conversation. 

Volp.  My  views  are  changed,  now  that  I  know  you.  Of  course,  1 
apologise  most  cordially. 

Arva.  Enough,  sir.  Tippitiwitchet,  be  aisy. 

Volp.  Allow  me  to  congratulate  you  upon  the  destiny  you  are  call¬ 
ed  upon  to  fulfill.  Your  admirably  concocted  scheme  has  made  a 
profound  impression  on  the  princess. 

Arva.  Concocted  1 

Volp.  You  are  the  most  cautious  rascal  that  ever  served  a  sovereign 
— 3rou  will  not  even  betray  yourself  to  me  ;  be  it  so,  sir  ;  I  like  your 
circumspection — although,  in  my  case,  you  may  over-act  the  char¬ 
acter. 

Arva.  [Aside.]  This  old  gentleman  has  been  drinking  one  glass  too 
many  after  dinner. 

Volp.  France  is  all  eyes ! 

Arva.  Like  a  peacock’s  tail,  she  can’t  see  out  of  any  one  of 
them. 

Volp.  Austria  is  all  ears  ! 

Arva.  So  is  an  ass,  but  the  animal  is  none  the  wiser  for  long  lis¬ 
tening. 

Volp.  It  now  remains  for  me  to  discover  the  means  whereby  I  may, 
without  attracting  suspicion,  attach  you  to  the  person  of  her  high¬ 
ness. 

Arva.  Attached  to  her  person ! 

Volp.  I  fear  I  must  offer  you  a  very  subordinate  position. 

Arva.  My  dear  sir — 

Volp.  But  one  that  will  require  your  constant  attendance  upon  the 
princess. 

Arva.  Very  strange. 

Volp.  Day  and  night. 

Arva.  The  very  thing  !  Grom  aboo  ! — as  we  swore  in  Tipperary. 

Volp.  Your  post  will  be  Knight  Protector  of  the  princess. 

Arva.  An  Irish  body-guard — Tippitiwitchet,  do  you  hear  that  1 

Volp.  I  must  recommend  you  not  to  omit  those  minutiae  which  you 
would,  perhaps,  be  likely  to  forget —  now,  for  example,  the  salary — 

Arva.  Oh,  ay! 

Volp.  Will  bo  one  thousand  crowns — of  course,  a  mere  matter  of 
form  in  your  case — but  you  will  not  forget  to  take  it. 

Arva.  Never  fear,  I’ll  not  forget — and  what  am  I  to  do  for  it  1 

Volp.  Do  nothing.  ’Tis  a  post  of  honor. 

Arva.  A  post  of  honor — that  means  a  salary  of  one  thousand  crowns, 
and  all  your  duty  is  to  count  and  see  that  they  are  not  short. 

Volp.  Exactly,  but  you  can  do  that  by  deputy. 

Arva.  Tare  and  agest! — where  has  my  head  been  all  my  life  1  I 
ask  your  pardon,  old  gentleman — I  don’t  wish  to  flatter  you,  but  you 
are  by  no  means  my  notion  of  a  great  genius — yet,  here  you  are  sous¬ 
ing  me  in  good  fortune  till  I  am  nearly  blind  ! — now — 

Volp.  I  understand  you.  It  may  seem  strange,  almost  suspicious, 
hat  I  should  thus  advance  the  fortunes  of  a  nameless  adventurer. 


THE  KNIGHT  OF  ARVA, 


11 


Arva.  Nameless  ! 

Volp.  Of  course  I  mean  nameless  only  as  Knight  of  Arva. 

Arva.  Yet,  sir,  to  him  who  bears  that  name  you  owe  your  life. 

Volp.  My  life  !  . 

Arva.  I  thought  I  remembered  your  face  again,  although  when  J 

saw  it  some  years  ago,  it  was  by  torchlight. 

Volp.  Ha!  .  .  , 

Arva.  I  commanded  a  plump  of  spears  in  the  service  of  Charles  oi 

Burgundy.  One  night  we  were  stationed  on  outpost ;  a  cavalcade  ap¬ 
proached  us.  The  moonbeams  played  on  the  glittering  ranks  of  the 
Scotch  guard,  but  the  glare  of  torches  revealed  the  iron  features  of 
Tristram  the  hermit,  the  ruihless  headsman  of  King  Louis.  Beside 
him  rode  a  man  bound — a  prisoner;  his  haggard  tace  was  green  with 
fear ;  my  lieutenant  whispered  that  it  was  a  Spanish  minister ;  they 
were  bearing  him  to  the  dungeons  of  the  Bastile. 

Volp.  Ah  !  the  ruffians  !— true — ’twas  I— they  seized  on  me  by 
stealth.  I  had  given  myself  up  for  lost,  when  of  a  sudden  I  heard  a 
shout,  and  then  a  crash — my  bands  were  cut,  and  a  voice  neai  me 
cried  out,  “  Run  !” 

Arva.  ’Twas  mine,  and  by  St.  Patrick,  you  took  the  hint. 

Volp.  There  your  title  to  my  gratitude  is  clear. 

Enter  the  Princess,  Baroness,  Offenboer  and  Chabbonnes  from 

posada. 

I  will  loudly  avow  the  obligation.  Your  highness,  permit  me  to  crave 
your  favor  for  this  noble  gentleman — to  whom,  princess,  X  owe  it, 
that  I  am  still  the  humblest  of  your  servants. 

Prin.  Why  did  not  this  gentleman  avow  this  obligation  when  you 
so  lately  thus  publicly  insulted  him  'l 

Bar.  Your  highness  puts  a  cogent  question. 

Arva.  Madam,  your  sex,  like  that  of  the  old  lady  that  just  spoke, 
can  scarcely  understand  these  matters.  Do  you  think  that  I  sell  every 
thrust  of  my  sword,  and  book  every  scratch,  like  a  tradesman,  and 
then  present  my  bill  thus,  “Don  Diego  Volpone,  to  the  Knight  of 
Arva _ One  life  X”  No,  madam,  a  craftsman  sells  and  duns — a  gentle¬ 
man  gives  and  forgets.  [Goes  up. 

Prin.  Baroness  ! 

Bar.  Highness ! 

Prin.  I  would  attach  this  stranger’s  fortunes  to  my  own.  leli 
Volpone  to  repeat  his  services. 

Bar.  Princess  you  cannot  dream  of  such  a  thing.  Reflect  aie  we 
a  roving  company  of  free  lances,  that  should  pick  up  every  stiaggler 
on  the  highway  ? 

Prin.  Can  I  have  nothing  my  own  way? 

Bar.  Your  highness  is  a  princess — we  are  here  to  advise  hei  how 

to  act  and  speak.  , 

Prin.  Yes,  but  your  advice  is  nothing  but  “  Hold  your  tongue  and 
keep  quiet  ”  One  might  as  well  be  born  dumb  and  a  cripple,  as  a 
princess  !  [Crosses  to  r.  h. 


12 


THE  KNIGHT  OF  ARVA. 


Vol.  Exercise  your  prerogative,  madam,  freely. 

Pnn.  Yes,  freely — so  I  will !  [A  pause. — Aside  to  Volpone.] 

Diego  ! 

Vol.  Highness! 

Prin.  What  is  freely  1 

Vol.  Freely  is  a — hem — when  one  says  free,  it  a — means — that  when 
one  is  told  to  do — a — a— then  a — one  is  free  to — do  it  a — freely. 

Prin.  Will  yonder  gentleman  accept  my  services  1 

Vol.  You  would  have  his  attendance  ? 

Prin.  I  would,  sir. 

Vol.  Madam,  I  served  your  father  for  twenty  years — bequeath  to 
me  the  cares  of  state — reserve  the  pleasures  and  the  power.  Sir 
knight,  [to  Arva,]  the  princess,  in  reward  for  the  service  which  you 
rendered  to  her  humble  minister,  bestows  on  you  the  vacant  post  of 
Knight  Protector  of  the  Presence.  Her  highness  offers  her  hand  to 
salute.  [ Crosses  to  c. 

Arva.  [ Advancing .J  Madam,  I  am  a  soldier— a  man  of  blood,  not 
words  ;  my  tongue  is  of  steel,  and  lies  in  my  scabbard,  so  that  I  could 
turn  more  easily  an  enemy’s  flank  than  a  courtly  phrase ;  but  here  I 
tender  you  the  oath  of  the  Free  Lance — On  horseback,  or  on  foot,  with 
lance,  sword,  or  dagger,  through  fire  and  anathema,  ’gainst  and 
against  foes,  I  carry  thy  will,  silent  and  certain,  knowing  no  mas- 
ter  but  thee  and  death,  and  thus  I  seal  my  pledge ! 

[Kneels,  and  kisses  Princess’  hand. 

Bar.  What  a  horrid  assemblage  of  bloodthirsty  expressions ! 

Chab.  I  congratulate  your  highness  on  your  acquisition  ! 

Offen.  An  office  which  has  only  been  filled  by  scions  of  the  oldest 
families  and  the  purest  blood  ! 

Arva.  Old — what  do  you  call  old  ?  We  are  the  finest  family  ip 
Ulster — a  fine  old  hunting  family,  with  a  descent  clear  down  from 
Nimrod  ;  and  as  to  pure  blood — your  Norman  puddle  is  mud  to  it — 
old  !  I  like  that  ! 

Chab.  I  seek  not  to  measure  births  with  the  savage  inhabitants  o/ 
some  rock  called  Ireland. 

Arva.  A  rock  !  the  ignoramus — and  that’s  an  ambassador  ! 

Chab.  But  my  ancestor — 

Arva.  Was  in  the  ark  with  Nimrod,  I  dare  say. 

Chab.  Well,  sir,  and  suppose  he  was — can  you  disprove  it? 

Arva.  Not  a  bit  of  it ;  but  to  show  you  the  superiority  of  my  family 
on  that  occasion — damme,  they  had  a  boat  of  their  own  ! 

[All  laugh. 

Vol.  Enough,  gentlemen.  Her  highness  will  proceed  to  Lerida 
Let  the  train  be  formed.  [Aside  to  Arva.]  I  leave  you  alone  with  he? 
— press  your  suit  with  activity. 

Arva.  Press  my  suit — 

Vol.  Give  way  to  your  feelings. 

Arva.  To  my  feelings ! — do  you  mean  that  I  am  to  make  love  to 
feer  ? 


THE  KNLJHT  OF  ARVA. 


13 


Vol.  With  all  your  eloquence  !  I  will  hold  off  Austria  and  France, 
who  will  never  suspect  your  purpose. 

Arva.  Suspect !  The  devil  take  me  if  I  can  suspect  it  myself — that 
old  griffin  with  her  petticoat  of  arms — 

Volp.  Do  not  observe  her  opposition;  she  is  instructed  to  cross  every 
wish  of  the  princess. 

Arva.  Then,  in  spite  of  everything,  my  duty  is  to  make  love  to  the 
princess — that  is  your  order  1 
Volp.  Exactly. 

Arva.  That  is  enough. 

Volp.  [Crosses  the  Princess  c.]  Madam,  we  precede  your  highness. 
[Aside."]  This  knight  is  not  what  he  seems ;  accord  a  favorable  ear 
to  his  suit.  My  lords,  I  attend  you.  [Crosses  in  front. 

off!  I  Madam ! 

[They  bow  and  exeunt ,  with  Volpone  into posada 
Arva.  Madam  !  I  am  to  be  alone  with  her — alone  l  and  my  duty 
is  to  make  love  to  her.  Ah  !  by  my  honor,  I  do  not  wonder  that  peo¬ 
ple  fight  for  places  at  court,  if  such  be  the  duties  and  perquisites. 

Prin.  [Aside.]  He  is  not  what  he  seems — lend  his  suit  a  favorable 
ear — wliat  suit  1 

Arva.  [Approaching  the  Princess.]  Madam,  I  am — I  am — 

[Pauses. 

Prin  Yes,  sir,  I  have  been  inlormed,  sir — 

Arva.  Heaven,  earth,  and  Ireland!  it’s  a  wonderful  thing ! 

Prin.  Sir  !  [Recoiling. 

Bar.  What  manners  are  these  1  What  camp  followers  have  we 
here '! 

Arva.  Your  pardon,  old  lady  !  have  the  kindness  to  take  your 
griffins  out  of  this,  and  let  me  perform  my  duty. 

Bar.  What  duties  you  have  to  pay  her  highness  must  be  addressed 
to  me. 

Arva.  To  you  ?  Oh  !  There  now  do  you  conceive  that  I  would 
perform  this  duty  to  you  1 

Bar.  And  if  I  so  conceived,  sir — what  then! 

Arva.  Then,  madam,  you  have  a  mighty  florid  imagination  for 
your  age.  Only  think  of  that  old  female  sturgeon  wanting  me  to 
make  love  to  her  !  Success  to  the  griffins  ! 

Bar.  Princess,  must  I  resign  my  charge — my  right  to  reply  to  all 
addresses  to  your  highness  1 

Prin.  Reply,  Baroness,  but  let  the  knight  address. 

Arva.  That  splits  the  difference.  [Aside.]  Besides,  Yolpone  told  me 
not  to  mind  her  opposition,  so  I  must  show  them  that  I  comprehend 
the  arrangement. 

[ Plucks  the  Baroness  by  the  robe ,  when  he  makes  a  grimace  of  in¬ 
telligence.  upon  his  repeating  which .  the  Baroness,  with  gestures 
of  astonishment  and  alarm,  passes  to  the  side  of  the  Prin¬ 
cess. 


14 


THE  KNIGHT  OP  ARVA. 


Priii.  [Aside.]  What  does  he  mean?  I  think,  sir,  you  have  some 
suit  to  press  ? 

Arva.  A  suit,  madam — bewildered  as  I  am,  pardon  me  if  I  am  un¬ 
able  to  halt  and  reform  my  sealed  faculties.  An  angel  form  has 
guided  my  footsteps,  and  I  feel  as  one  walking  in  those  fairy  palaces 
raised  by  magicians  in  romance. 

Prin.  [To  Baroness,  after  a  pause.]  Tell  him  to  go  on. 

Par.  Speak  on,  sir. 

Arva.  You  bid  me  speak,  but  I  dread  to  trust  a  word,  lest  its  bru¬ 
tal  sound  might  fracture  the  lovely  hues  of  what  I  fear  is  but  a 
vision ! 

Prin.  Ah  !  Baroness,  how  sweet !  how  courtly! 

Arva.  Not  courtly,  lady,  but  most  hearty. 

Par.  Hearty,  sir!  We  beg  you  will  measure  your  expressions. 

Prin.  Why,  let  it  pass,  Baroness,  and  may  I  hear  for  once  things 
called  by  the  names  they  bear,  in  my  native  language. 

Arva.  [Aside. J  She  calls  the  tongue  of  love  her  native  language  ! 
[Aloud.]  Princess  of  Beauty — 

Par.  Moderate  your  transports. 

Arva.  It  seems  that  old  woman  is  to  stand  by  with  buckets  "of  cold 
water.  [To  the  Princess.]  Peerless  princess,  let  what  I  can’t  sav 
speak  for  me,  and  what  I  dare  not  utter  be  all  my  eloquence !  Judge 
my  sincerity  by  its  silence  ! 

Par.  What  mad  tirade  is  this?  I  cannot  reply,  sir,  for  her  high¬ 
ness.  ’Tis  past  my  understanding. 

Arva.  By  thirty  years,  I  know  it — each  age  has  a  language  of  its 
own.  But  her  highness — 

Prin.  [In  a  low  voice.]  I  will  hear  that  suit  another  time.  [Aside  J 
What  words  were  these  ?  They  seem  the  echo  of  some  dream-some 
girlish  dream — when  I  was  cooped  up  in  my  convent,  and  knew  the 
world  only  as  I  could  dream  of  it ! 

Enter  Manuel,  r.  u.  e. 

Man.  The  litter  of  her  highness  awaits  her  pleasure. 

Prin.  The  tones  of  his  voice— so  different  from  all  who  have  ever 
addressed  me. 

Enter  Volpone,  Chabonnes,  Offenboer,  from posada. 

volp.  [r.]  Madame,  the  cortege  is  formed.  My  Lord  of  Arva,  the 
flistody  of  the  litter  is  your  duty. 

Prin.  [Aside  to  Volpone.]  Tell  me,  Diego,  who  is  he? 

Volp.  [Aside.]  The  secret  ambassador  of  England. 

Prin.  [Aside.]  And  his  suit  ? 

Volp.  He  lays  at  your  feet  the  heart  of  the  Prince  of  Wales. 

Prin.  The  Prince  of  Wales  !  The  envoy  of  another  !— Baroness-  - 
^  utlemen  toLerida!  [Leans  upon  Baroness. 


THE  KNIGHT  0/  ARVA 


15 


Enter  from  posada  Offenboer,  and  Chabonnes,  followed  by  their 
Pages.  The  Guard  enter  from  r.  u.  e.  and  go  off  l.  u.  e.  Peas¬ 
ants  appear  at  different  entrances.  Jose  at  inn  door  waving 
napkin.  Princess  goes  up  stage  with  Baroness,  followed  by 
Volpone  and  Arva.  Grand  flourish.  Peasants  shout. 


END  OF  ACT  I. 


ACT  II. 


SCENE  l— The  Palace  of  Lerida.  An  ante-room — The  walls  are 

tapestried— Two  entrances  r.  and  l. — Opening  c.,  with  curtains  to 

draw — Two  tables  l.  h  —Writing  materials— A  taper  lighted — 

Chairs. 

Manuel  is  in  waiting ,  c. — Volpone  at  table,  l.  h. 

Volp.  [ Writing  ]  What  is  the  hour  ? 

Man.  Excellency,  the  palace  clock  is  on  the  stroke  of  ten. 

Volp.  [Still  writing.)  Has  my  dispatch  been  [A  pause]  forwarded 
to  the  Bishop  of  Tortosa  ? 

Man.  Yes,  excellency.  His  gravity  will  arrive  at  midnight. 

Volp.  [Still  writing.)  Let  the  chapel  of  the  palace  be  prepared,  and 
the  altar  illuminated.  [Manuel  goes  up,  r.  h. — Volpone,  rising ,  ad¬ 
vances  to  L-  c.]  Stay  !  I  gave  orders  that  the  city  gales  and  all  ac¬ 
cesses  should  be  guarded. 

Man.  Strict  watch  is  kept. 

Volp.  Every  foreigner  to  be  searched,  and  all  papers  of  which  he 
may  be  the  bearer  to  be  seized. 

Man.  Your  excellency’s  orders  are  obeyed.  [Exit  r.  h.  c. 

Volp.  The  obstinate  mystery  with  which  this  knight  surrounds  him¬ 
self,  has  baffled  me.  In  his  adopted  character,  he  has  in  ten  days 
completed  the  conquest  of  her  highness  [  Walks  about.)  Hum  be 
excludes  me  from  his  confidence,  and  evidently  wishes  to  monopolize 
the  glory  of  this  marriage — not  so  fast — hum  !  What  it  I  betray  to 
Chabonnes  and  Offenboer  that  a  secret  agent  of  England  is  ?t  work 
here,  and  warn  them  to  beware,  so  I  can  watch  the  manoeuvres  on 
both  sides,  and,  by  a  word,  direct  the  helm  of  the  intrigue  into  the 
channel  of  my  own  imprests  ? 

Enter  the  Baroness,  c.  r.  h. 

Baroness,  how  fares  our  cause  ? 

Bar.  [r.]  Minister,  I  can  make  nothing  of  the  island  satago  He 


16 


THE  KNIGHT  OF  ARVA, 


bursts  through  all  rule  and  ceremony  with  the  brutality  of  a  wild  boar. 
Why,  but  now,  in  one  of  his  many  movements,  I  do  believe,  had  I  not 
screamed,  he  would  have  kissed  the  princess  ! 

Volp.  And  her  highness  1 

Bar.  Let  it  be  said  most  humbly — but  her  serenity  is  very  young — ■ 
at  the  barbarian  savageries  of  this  man  of  the  woods,  she  laughs ! 
Yes,  minister,  as  we  stood  by  the  palace  window  this  morning,  her 
highness  fixed  her  fancy  on  a  lily  that  grew  in  the  lake  beneath.  I 
was  about  to  dispatch  a  lacquey  for  it,  when,  to  my  horror,  the  prin¬ 
cess  littered  a  scream  of  fright — the  knight  had  leaped  from  the  win¬ 
dow — a  fearful  height — and  rushed  across  all  the  beds  of  Indian 
flowers — plunged  into  the  lake  and  swam  like  a  duck,  till  he  seized 
the  flower,  and,  returning  as  he  went,  came  dripping  into  her  princely 
presence,  panting  like  a  hound,  and  red  as  a  cardinal’s  hat  S 

[  Crosses ,  l.  h 

Volp.  Was  the  princess  displeased  1 

Bar.  After  her  fright,  she  watched  his  return  with  an  eagerness  as 
wild  as  his  own,  and  when  he  reappeared,  her  look,  oh  minister,  was 
more  fit  for  the  cheek  of  a  country  girl,  than  the  heiress  of  a  prince ! 

[Site  at  table ,  l. 

Volp.  [Aside.]  St.  Iago  !  he  is  a  very  great  man  ! 

[Returns  to  table ,  r.  h. 

Offen  \l°utside-1  Ha!  ha!  ha! 

Re-enter  Manuel,  r.  h.  c. 

Man.  Their  excellencies. 

Enter  Ch 4 bonnes  and  Offenboer,  r.  h.  c. 

Chab.  [Taking  r.  h.  Cor.]  Ha!  Ha!  Ha!  He  is  spasmodically 
amusing  [Aside.]  I  will  secure  his  interest  for  France  this  very  night, 
I  think  a  peerage  and  the  grand  cross  of  St.  Louis  will  tempt  him. 

Offen.  How  admirably  he  mimicked  Volpone.  [Aside.]  I  will  se¬ 
cure  his  interest  for  Austria  at  any  cost.  He  will  scarcely  refuse  the 
future  vice-royalty  of  Catalonia,  and  the  Golden  Fleece. 

Volp.  [o.J  My  lords.  We  are  the  dupes  of  a  daring  scheme — a 
plot ! 

Chab.  }  .  ,  .  , 

Offen.  \  AP'ot! 

Volp.  Against  us  all.  Your  excellencies  are  aware  that  England 
has  made  advances  to  negotiate  a  marriage  between  her  Highness  and 
the  Prince  of  Wales. 

Chab.  But  no  envoy  has  arrived. 

Volp.  A  mistake,  duke,  a  secret  envoy  has  arrived. 

Offen.  His  name] 

Volp.  Ay,  count,  here  lies  the  mystery. 

Bar.  This  lunatic  swash  buckler  is  an  agent  of  Britain,  depend 
upon  it. 


THE  KNIGHT  OF  ARVA. 


17 


Chab.  What !  our  mad  knight  ?  To  resolve  your  minister,  when  he 
comes,  you  shall  be  convinced.  I  will  question  him. 

Bar.  Here  comes  the  Vandal  paladin !  See  how  he  strides  along, 
as  if  he  were  in  a  tavern,  There’s  a  gait ! 

Enter  Manuel,  r.  h.  0. 

Man.  The  Knight  of  Arva ! 

Enter  Arva,  r.  h.  c. 

Arva.  Ha!  gentlemen!  What,  a  counsel  of  war?  and  Griffin’s  in 
the  chair.  I  beg  your  pardon  Baroness,  but  we  barons  call  each  other 
by  our  devices,  and  I  can  only  recognize  you  as  a  Griffin. 

Bar.  The  Astragoth ! 

Chab.  Knight !  [Crosses  to  Arva. 

Arva.  Duke ! 

Chab.  [ Aside  to  Volpone.]  Now  to  assay  him,  watch  his  demeaa- 
or.  [To  Arva.]  We  were  speaking  of  you  as  you  entered. 

Arva.  Oh,  ho! 

Chab.  His  excellency,  Don  Volpone,  unmasked  the  strangeness 
of  your  position  here  and  declared  to  us  his  suspicion  that  you  might 
be - 

Arva.  That  I  might  be — 

Chab.  A  secret  agent  of  England. 

[They  all  fix  their  eyes  on  him. 

Arva.  Did  he  now  ? 

Chab.  [Aside.]  He  does  not  move  a  muscle. 

OJfen.  [Aside.]  Not  a  hair. 

Volp.  [Aside.]  That  man  deserves  a  statue  of  brass. 

Bar.  You  are  aware  that  these  lords  represent  Austria  and  France. 

Arva.  The  bantam  cock  and  the  goose  with  two  heads,  excuse  me 
gentlemen,  I  only  know  countries  by  their  devices. 

Chab.  My  mission  to  this  court  is  to  claim  the  hand  of  the  Princess 
for  my  leige. 

Offen.  I  press  the  suit  of  the  archduke. 

Volp.  And  it  is  suspected  that  you,  Sir  Knight,  adventure  here  to 
secure  the  Princess  for  the  Prince  of  Wales. 

Arva.  Then  let  me  inform  you,  gentlemen,  that  were  I  so  honored 
by  King  Henry,  my  policy  would  have  been  plain,  for  in  one  hour  by 
this  dial  I  should  have  cut  the  coxcomb  in  your  person  my  lord 
duke,  and  I  could  have  deprived  the  goose  of  one  of  its  heads  at 
least,  Count,  to  wit  that  same  which  now  flourishes  upon  your  shoul¬ 
ders.  Think  you,  sirs,  that  lions  creep  upon  their  prey  like  cats  1  No' 
were  I  the  delegated  paw,  I’d  like  to  see  the  bird  or  beast  in  Christen¬ 
dom  could  scan  my  purpose  or  could  shake  my  hold. 

[  Crosses  to  l.  c. 

Volp.  A  rugged  soldier,  gentlemen,  is  less  to  be  dreaded  than  a  hid 
den  foe. 

Manuel  enters  r.  h.  c. 

Man.  Her  Highness,  the  Princess. 


18 


THE  KNIGHT  OF  ARVA. 


Enter  Princess,  r.  h.  c.  The  nobles  incline  before  her  as  she  ad¬ 
vances.  She  fixes  her  eyes  on  Arva  as  she  speaks  to  the  Baroness. 

Prin.  [r.  c.]  Baroness,  I  come  to  seek - 

Bar.  Me,  Madam  ?  I  am  covered  with  confusion,  pardon  my  ab¬ 
sence. 

Prin.  Volpone,  [To  Chabonnes  and  Offenboer.]  With  your  leave 
lords. 

Draws  Volpone  aside ,  Baroness  goes  up  r.,  Chabonnes  and  Offen¬ 
boer  go  up  c. 

Volp.  [r.]  Your  Highness  ! 

Prin.  Of  what  scheme  am  I  the  victim.  Why  have  you  placed 
that  stranger  by  my  side?  what  mean  his  words?  You  say  he  is  the 
bearer  of  another’s  vows. 

Volp.  He  brought  me  credentials  written  by  the  hand  of  Henry  of 
England. 

Prin.  Let  me  see  them. 

Volp  But  Madam ! 

Prin.  Hear  me  Diego.  Men  call  you  crafty,  false,  and  avaricious, 
that  gives  me  no  care.  My  father  lifted  you  from  obscurity,  and 
made  you  noble,  he  trusted  you  with  all,  even  the  future  of  his  only 
child ;  that  child  has  loved  you,  Diego,  but  she  is  a  child  no  longer ; 
look  into  her  eyes  and  there  read  her  father’s  unbending  will.  You 
have  betrayed  me ! 

Volp.  Madam,  madam  ! 

Prin.  You  have,  or  you  will,  I  know  not  which,  but  I  feel  the 
traitor  in  you.  Now  mark  me,  by  the  false  love  you  bore  my  father,  if 
you  sell  his  child,  I’ll  have  my  price  wrought  into  a  golden  axe,  and 
with  it  take  your  head. 

Bar.  [c.]  Your  Highness ! 

Prin.  [Haughtily.)  Back,  madam,  till  your  duty  is  demanded. 

Bar.  Hey - d  ! 

Prin.  The  papers. 

Volp.  I  will  fetch  them. 

Prin.  No,  you  have  them — give — 

Volp.  I  know  not  Madam — perhaps  I  may  have — [Searches  his 
vest.)  Ha  !  indeed,  here  be — 

Prin.  Quick,  [Snatches  the  parcel  as  he  produces  it  hurriedly']  ’tis 
so — my — so — and  he  bore  these  credentials. 

Volp.  As  I  have  said. 

Prin.  Forgive  me,  Diego,  but,  I  thought — ’tis  very  strange — the 
demeanor  of  the  Knight — his  language — but  why  should  I  pause. 
Why  should  he  not  avow  his  purpose,  at  least  to  me,  and  yet  I  dread 
— [A  pause.)  Leave  me.  [Crosses  r.  c.  Cor. 

Volp.  My  lords.  Baroness,  her  highness  gives  us  leave  [CVossrs  l.J 
Not  a  word,  I  recognize  the  humor  she  is  in — her  father  to  a  wrinkle — • 
her  bloo  1  is  up  and  a  word  may  cause  ours  to  flow. 

Arva.  [As  he  passes  all  exeunt  except  Princess  and  Arva,  l.  h. 

Arva.  [Aside. J  There’s  a  coronet  of  clouds  upon  her  brow  that 
looks  mighty  well  there. 


THE  KNIGHT  OF  ARVa. 


19 


Prin.  [r.  c.  aside.]  Do  I  tremble?  Wliat  do  I  dread.  It  seems  as 
if  I  had  an  inner  life  to  lose,  and  my  heart  awaited  the  death  sentence, 
when  I  think  upon  the  words  he  dared  to  utter,  the  looks  he  never 
feared  to  cast,  and  these  were  borrowed,  that  he  was  hired  to  bear 
the  livery  of  love,  and  learned  a  paper  to  repeat  by  lote. 

Arva.  [Aside. J  How  her  eyes  flash  !  she  is  as  beautiful  as  an  Al¬ 
pine  thunder  storm. 

Prin.  [Aside.]  He  shall  not  see  that  he  has  the  power  to  move  me 
thus.  [Aluud.]  Knight!  [Points  to  chair. 

Area.  Madam ! 

Prin.  We  were  conversing  but  now  of  a  knight  who  was  repulsed 
by  his  mistresss.  We  were  interrupted.  The  lady  you  say  was  won 
at  last. 

Arva.  As  thus  he  sung.  [Song  introduced — “Love’s  Serenade.” 

Prin.  Sir  Knight !  I  had  congratulated  myself  that  one  person  in 
my  court  at  least,  was  what  he  seemed.  My  graiitude  to  fortune  has 
been  premature. 

Arva.  ’Tis  fortune  should  be  grateful  to  have  such  a  creature  as 
yourself  on  whom  to  lavish  her  favors. 

Prin.  Craft  does  not  become  you,  Sir  Knight. 

Arva.  I  never  feigned  in  my  life. 

Prin.  Never  !  reflect. 

Arva.  Oh,  pardon,  yes,  once.  I  feigned  to  engage  Chevalier  St 
Mars  in  Carte,  but  slipped  through  his  lunge  in  seconde. 

Prin.  I  heard  a  tale  told  of  you.  Was  it  not  some  peasant  girl 
that  was  beloved  by  some  chief  under  whose  banner  you  served.  This 
chief  deputed  you  to  seek  the  fair  one  in  disguise,  to  press  his  suit, 
the  suit  of  another,  and  you  feigned  the  language  and  the  garb  of 
passion,  crept  like  a  spy - 

Arva.  Madam  ! 

Prin.  Or  have  I  forgotten  the  particulars 1  Was  it  a  peasant  girl, 
or  was  it  a  princess? 

Arva.  Ah  !  Princess,  they  say  the  spotless  virgin  can  check  and 
rule  the  untamed  lion.  Your  experiment  has  proved  at  once  your 
power  and  the  truth  of  the  adage. 

Prin.  Knight !  you  sought  my  court  and  by  your  simple,  bold  and 
chivalrous  bearing — you  gained — our — our  admiration — chance  as  I 
thought,  brought  you  before  me,  but  wherefore,  was  it  to  chide  me 
for  my  girlish  dreams,  to  rob  me  of  my  better  nature,  to  show  me 
that  truth  and  honor  are  but  finer  craft,  and  teach  tho  princess  to 
forget  the  woman,  and  to  color  a  ruthless  reign  by  her  contempt  of 
all  humanity.  If  so,  begone,  ere  I  despise  you  sir,  and  thereby  all 
you  like. 

Arva.  Honor,  madam,  is  not  an  idea  but  a  thing  like  love  and 
courage,  and  beauty  ;  it  is  not  to  be  engendered,  but  exists,  and  with 
his  arms,  devices,  titles,  and  his  name,  honor  descends  upon  a  gentle¬ 
man  as  his  inheritance — ask  my  blade  to  recount  its  deeds— it  is 
dumb,  but  I  speak  for  it.  Ask  me  to  vindicate  my  honor,  1  am  silent, 
but  Tippitivvitchet  is  eloquent. 


THE  KNIGHT  OF  ARYA. 


20 

Prin.  [Aside.]  What  plot  is  then  weaving  around  me.  Volpone 
has  deceived  me.  Still  shall  I  expose  these  papers,  no,  it  will  seem  as 
if  I  still  doubted. 

Arva.  Sure  that  old  fox  Volpone  dared  not  hint  to  your  highness 
his  suspicions  about  which  you  joked  awhile  ago. 

Prin.  Suspicions  ! 

Arva.  That  I  had  come  here  on  some  mission  to  demand  your 
hand. 

Prin.  For  England.  Yes,  and  is  it  not  so'? 

Arva.  For  another'?  Could  you  believe  that  my  devotion — my 
was — St.  Patrick !  Is  it  acting  like  an  Italian  stroller  you  thought  T 
was  I 

Prin.  Forgive  me  Knight — no. 

Arva.  The  lacquey  of  a  passion,  to  fetch  and  bring,  to  make  my 
heart  do  service  7  Not  for  all  the  Caesars. 

Prin.  No,  no !  I  see — I  see — I  feel  it  was  not  so.  I  am  the  victim 
of  some  dark  intrigue — it  winds  around  me. 

Arva.  Were  it  as  endless  as  the  Gordian  knot,  here,  [ touching 
his  sword,]  is  the  classic  panacea  that  shall  free  you.  Let  me  just 
cross  the  ears  of  those  two  ambassadors,  and  quarter  Volpone.  I  will 
be  back  in  five  minutes. 

Prin.  No,  do  not  leave  me;  I  bear  them  no  anger  now.  I  know 
not  why,  but  all  their  schemes  appear  unworthy  of  my  heed,  but 
what  could  Diego  mean — he  told  me  you  had  a  suit  to  press. 

Arva.  And  he  bid  me  press  it. 

Prin.  He  prayed  me  to  lend  a  favorable  ear. 

Arva.  And  did  you  so  7 

Prin.  To  listen  was  my  duty.  I  thought  you  proffered  me  a  great 
alliance.  ’Twas  for  my  people’s  welfare. 

Arva.  Ah,  madam !  Those  same  royal  marriages  for  the  people’s 
welfare,  are  not  made  in  Heaven  as  they  should  be,  for  sure,  ’twas 
never  decreed  that  a  nation’s  happiness  should  be  formed  on  a  mon¬ 
arch’s  misery. 

Volpone  appears  c. 

Prin.  I  hesitate,  in  knowledge  I  am  but  a  child,  and  in  this  mat¬ 
ter  I  have  no  counsel  but  what  I  must  distrust  and  fear. 

Volp.  [Advancing .]  Madame,  forgive  my  boldness ;  distrust  no 
more,  fear  nothing,  the  moment  is  propitious — yield  to  the  solicita¬ 
tions  of  your  earliest  friend  and  counsellor — accept  this  great  alli¬ 
ance. 

Prin.  This  great  alliance  I 

Volp.  The  chapel  has  been  prepared.  The  Bishop  of  Tortosa  is 
already  at  the  altar.  Allow  this  noble  gentleman  to  lead  you 
thither. 

Arva.  Is  it  me  7  I  marry  her  7  her  highness ! 

Volp.  Certainly.  What  else  did  you  come  for  7 

Arva.  Did  I  come  for  that  7 

Volp  Of  course,  really  my  lord,  you  carry  your  diplomacy  so  mys¬ 
teriously  far  that  you  take  me  beyond  my  depth. 


the  knight  of  arva. 


21 


Arva.  And.  her  highness  will  consent! 

Volp  If  her  people’s  prayers  added  to  ours  can  prevail. 

Prin.  Diego ! 

Volp.  [Aside  to  Arva.]  She  hesitates — now  my  lord  all  necessity  for 
mystery  is  at  an  end.  One  word,  will  you  receive  the  hand  of  her 
Highness  from  me  1 

Arva.  Receive  her  hand!  dare  I  but  dream  of  it! 

Prin.  Diego,  you  told  me  to  bequeath  to  you  all  the  cares  of  state. 

Volp.  And  to  resume  its  pleasures. 

Prin.  Is  the  disposal  of  my  hand  a  care  of  state  ! 

Volp.  Eminently. 

Prin  And  you  would  bestow  it ! 

Volp.  Here/  [Takes  Arva’s  hand, 

Prin.  Be  it  so. 

Volp  Your  Highness  consents'1 

Prin.  I  do.  [Volpone  places  her  hand  in  Arva’s. 

Arva.  Consent  to  become — I  cannot — I — 

Volp.  May  I  implore  your  highness  to  pardon  my  anxiety  that  the 
ceremony  should  not  be  delayed  an  hour. 

Prin.  [To  Arva.]  You  are  pale! 

Arva.  Mine,  [Gazing  on  her. \  my  own — my — 

Prin.  You  tremble.  [Giving  him  both  her  hands. 

Arva.  [Sinks  at  her  feet.]  As  a  miser  for  his  treasure. 

Prin.  [Bending  down  and  in  a  low  voice.]  Arva,  do  you  wed  th© 
princess,  or  the  woman  ! 

Arva.  Marina ! 

Prin.  Hush!  forgive  my  first  doubts.  They  shall  be  the  last. 

[Exit  R.  H.  2  E. 

Volp.  Bravo!  Bravissimo  !  Bravissimo!  Bravo!  allow  me  to  assist 
your  lordship  to  rise.  Ah,  ah  !  let  us  assist  each  other  to  rise. 

Arva.  What  have  I  done  to  deserve  all  this  good  fortune! 

Volp.  You  have  conducted  the  most  delicate  intrigue,  with  a  genius 
that  will  immortalize  you,  but  let  us  lose  no  time ;  it  is  fitting  on  this 
august  occasion  that  her  highness  should  bestow  on  you  some  signal 
honor.  Here  are  the  insignia  of  the  Grand  Crosses  of  St.  Iago  de 
Compastello  and  Isabella,  and  your  title  of  Grandee  [Gives him  crosses 
and  two  parchments.]  I  must  see  to  the  preparations  in  the  chapel 
and  during  the  ceremony  I  will  so  engage  the  rival  envoys  here  that 
you  need  fear  no  interruption.  Ha,  ha  !  your  hand  once  more.  Santo 
Bartolomes !  Machiavelli  was  an  imposter  to  you.  Hush  ! 

[Rushes  out  c. 

Arva.  Where  the  devil  am  I ;  am  I  myself,  or  somebody  else  ! 
Have  I  been  dreaming  all  my  life  !  Here’s  a  deluge  of  fortune.  Oh! 
I’ll  not  complain,  rain  on  ye  deceiver.  I  am  as  patient  under  your 
showers  as  a  cow  in  clover. 

Enter  Chabonnes  cautiously ,  l.  h. 

Chab  Knight,  hush!  are  you  alone! 

Arva.  I’ll  sweat  to  nothing.  I  have  discharged  my  five  senses  for 

lying- 


22 


THE  KNIGHT  OF  ARVA. 


Chab.  Have  I  misinterpreted  your  feelings?  you  take  an  interi  .ia 

France  ? 

Arva.  How  can  I  help  it  ?  Have  I  not  been  fighting  against  her 
for  the  last  six  years. 

Chab.  So  high  does  his  Christian  majesty  esteem  your  valor,  that 
he  has  deputed  me  to  enlist  you  in  his  service,  as  a  peer  of  his  realm 
and  to  salute  you  as  Baron  D’Arva,  knight  commander  of  St.  Louise, 
Grand  Cross ! 

Arva.  Another,  here’s  more  of  it. 

Chab.  Knight  of  Jerusalem  !  and  companion  of  the  white  and  green 
ladies  !  Permit  me  to  present  them  with  the  deeds. 

[Hands  him  the  two  papers  and  two  crosses. 

Arva.  Baron  D’Arva,  peer  of  France,  Grandee  of  Spain,  which  is 
the  green  lady? 

Chab.  I  ventured  in  my  last  despatch  to  mention  your  attachment 
to  the  house  of  Valois,  and  enlarged  on  your  influence  with  the 
Pi  'incess. 

Arva.  Oh  you  flatter  me.  Do  you  think  so  ? 

Chab.  I  am  sure  of  it.  may  I  count  upon  it? 

Arva.  What  for  ? 

Chab.  To  conclude  this  contemplated  marriage. 

Arva.  Make  your  mind  easy,  that  is  settled. 

Chab.  You  think  so? 

Arva.  I  have  her  word  for  it,  and  to-night,  this  very  night,  the 
dear,  the  irrevocable  promise  will  be  pledged. 

Chab.  So  soon?  Then  I  must  engage  our  rivals,  so  that  you  may 
have  free  scope  to  play  the  game.  Your  hand,  Baron,  France  is 
grateful ! 

Arva.  Is  she  ?  I  beg  she  won’t  mention  it. 

Chab.  I  will  not  detain  you  from  the  prosecution  of  our  plans,  rely 
on  my  co-operation.  [Goes  up  and  exit  l.  h.  3  e. 

Arva.  Tron  de  hair — as  we  swore  in  Germany.  I  wonder  what 
will  become  of  me  next,  or  who  I  shall  turn  out  to  be.  ’Tis  mighty 
clear  I  have  been  living  under  a  mistake  all  my  life. 

Enter  Offenboer  r.  h.  c. 

Offen.  Hush ! 

Arva.  Another ! 

Often.  Knight,  I  have  just  received  instructions  from  Vienna. 

Arva.  Not  before  you  wanted  them  Count. 

Offen.  Let  me  hasten  to  inform  you  that  the  Emperor  is  aware  of 
your  presence  here. 

Arva.  Now  stop.  Tare  alive !  don’t  say  he  has  sent  me — 

Offen.  The  future  vice  royalty  cf  Catalonia — 

Arva.  And  a  cross  ? 

Offen.  Of  the  Golden  Fleece  and  the  Great  Eagle — here  they  are. 

Arva.  I  knew  it.  Oh  St.  Patrick,  if  that  darling  Colleen  Fortune 
is  anywhere  near  you  up  there  give  her  a  kiss  for  me,  and  I’ll  do  as 
much  for  you  below  and  ask  no  questions;  hand  over  your  jewels 


THE  KNIGHT  OF  ARVA. 


23 


and  the  sheepskin — I  accept  everything  and  make  no  apologies.  I 
feel  as  it  a  thousand  faries  were  fluttering  their  wings  around  my 
ears  and  scrambling  about  my  heart. 

Offen.  May  I  speak'? 

Arva.  Out  with  it ! 

Offen.  The  Princess ! 

Arva.  I  know  the  rest;  this  marriage,  is’nt  that  it? 

Offen.  Can  I  rely  upon  you  ? 

Arva.  And  on  Tippitiwitchet. 

Offen.  And  I  may  despatch  a  courier  to  Vienna  ? 

Arva.  You  may  despatch  yourself. 

Offen.  Mean  you  that  the  marriage  is  settled  ? 

Arva.  As  its  consequences. 


Enter  Volpone,  c. 


Volp.  [Aside  to  Arva.]  The  Bishop  has  arrived  ;  quick  !  I  will  en¬ 
gage  their  excellencies  here  until  the  ceremony  is  concluded. 


Re-enter  Chabonnes  l.  h. 


Chab.  [Aside. ]  Volpone  and  OfFenboer.  what  a  contretemps — now 
for  a  grand  stroke  of  diplomacy  !  One  half  hour  and  Catalonia  is 
a  French  province  !  I  must  occupy  their  excellencies. 

Arva.  [Aside.]  Honors  and  titles  are  coming  upon  me  as  thick  as 
blackberries  on  the  back  of  a  ditch.  If  matters  go  on  at  this  rate  I 
will  have  more  stars  to  make  knights  of  me  than  there  are  days  in  the 
year.  I  will  not  have  room  on  my  breast  to  carry  my  illuminations. 
I  must  make  a  map  of  Europe  on  it,  and  confine  each  country  to  its 
legal  limits.  St.  Patrick,  if  titles  increase  on  me  too,  it  will  take  a 
month  to  learn  who  I  am.  [Exit  r.  h. 

Offen.  [r .aside.]  I  hope  they  suspect  nothing. 

Volp  [l.  aside.]  They  look  rather  uneasy. 

All.  [Advancing  towards  c.]  Ha!  Ha!  Ha! 

Chab.  Your  excellencies  will  pardon  the  expression,  but  there 
positively  exists  between  us,  a  sentiment  of  distrust. 

Volp.  A  distrust? 

Offen.  Distrust  France  1  what  an  idea ! 

Chab.  Really,  Count,  I  esteem  so  highly  your  diplopmatic  abili¬ 
ties,  that  upon  my  dukedom  I  would  not  trust  you  an  ell  further  than 
I  could  see. 

Offen.  Oh  Duke!  allow  me  to  assure  you,  that  your  policy  is  so 
impenetrable,  that  by  my  ancestors!  I  could  not  trust  you  so  far. 


A  series  of  bows  indicative  of  their  mutual  sense  of  the  compliment 
Volp.  Your  excellencies  have  engaged  wits  so  well  in  this  affair 
that  you  may  be  said  to  be  further  from  your  object  than  whea  you 
began. 

Chab.  I  have  a  coalition  to  propose. 


the  knight  of  arva. 


^Ohab.  Every”  umpire  of  the  question  named  by  me  has  been  reject 
ed0j^»!ieMy  referees  have  shared  a  similar  fate  at  your  grace  s 

I  have  discovered  a  means  to  bring  about  an  issue. 

Volp.  What  can  you  mean  !  ,  . 

Chab.  Let  us  remain  here  until  the  princess  shall  appear,  find  thee 

let  her  highness  be  simply  asked  to  make  a  choice. 

Offen.  But  no  undue  influence  must  be  used. 

Volp .  If  we  remain  here,  are  we  not  guarantees  for  each  othc.  . 
Tour  -race  has  hit  upon  an  admirable  expedient,  but  be  it  agreed 
that  whatever  may  be  the  reply  of  the  princess,  we  must  be  bound 

by  it. 

Offen.  Agreed  !  for  Austria ! 

Chab.  And  I !  for  France  !  [They  go  up. 

Volp.  Without  question  or  appeal. 

Enter  Manuel,  l.  h. 

Man.  r Aside  to  Volpone.]  Your  excellency,  according  to  your 
orders,  a  foreign  courier  has  just  been  arrested  at  the  city  gates ;  upon 

searching  his  person,  this  dispatch  was  found. 

[ Hands  Volpone  sealed  paper. 

Volp.  Enough.  [Reads.]  “  For  the  most  noble,  the  Earl  of  Suffolk. 
Ha!  that  then  is  the  title  which  he  conceals.  Suffolk,  a  kinsman  of 


the  king.  .  ,  ...  ,, 

Chab.  [l.  stopping  Manuel  aside. ]  Where  is  her  highness  f 

Man.  Excellence,  she  has  just  passed  into  the  chapel  with  the 

Knight  of  Arva.  „  ,  .  .  ,  , 

Chab.  Hd!  [Aside.)  True  to  his  word !  Catalonia  is  annexed  to 
France  !  [Crosses  to  r.  h.  behind. 

Offen.  [l.  stopping  Manuel.]  Hist!  where  is  the  Knight  of  Arva  1 

Man.  Excellence,  he  is  now  in  the  chapel  with  her  highness. 

[Exit  Manuel,  l.  ii. 

Offen.  [Aside.]  The  Golden  Fleece  and  the  Great  Eagle  have 
triumphed  !  The  princess  is  our  own  ! 

Volp.  [Who  has  been  fingering  the  dispatch .]  These  may  be  im¬ 
portant  instructions.  I  must  hasten  to  him.  _  [Going  up  c. 

Chab.  [r.  ringing  one  of  his  arms.)  No,  minister,  no  ! 

Offen.  [l.  ringing  the  other  arm.)  Fair  play,  no,  no. 

f  They  draw  him  forward. 

Volp.  [c.]  Eh ! 

Offen.  Our  convention,  our  agreement.  [Goes  up  l. 

Chab.  No  undue  influence.  We  are  guarantees  for  each  other. 

[Goes  up  r. 

Volp.  Ah '.true.  [Aside.]  What  is  to  be  done.  Bah!  delicacy  is 
folly,  the  intelligence  contained  in  these  dispatches,  may  in  s<>mo 
manner  modify  our  views,  and  as  all  mystery  is  at  an  end  between  ns 
l  will  make  bold.  [Tears  open  the  dispatch — reads  aside  J  “My 


THE  KNIGHT  OF  ARVA. 


25 


trusty  Suffolk,  herewith  know  that  the  dispensation  which  we  have 
so  long  begged  from  Rome,  has  been  granted  by  the  Sovereign  Pon¬ 
tiff.  Our  son  of  Wales  can  now  wed  Katherina  of  Arragon,  the 
widow  of  his  lamented  brother.  Frorp  the  receipt  hereof  we  com¬ 
mand  you  to  break  off  treaties  for  the  alliance  with  the  Princess  Ma¬ 
rina,  for  as  much  as  by  the  hour  you  read  this  our  writing,  the  Prince 
of  Wales  will  be  united  to  the  Lady  of  Arragon.”  Distraction  !  Mai- 
ried  !  [Sound  of  an  organ  heard  within.]  Ho  !  the  ceremony  is  pro¬ 
ceeding,  it  must  be  arrested  ! 

He  runs  up  hut  is  seized  6i/Chabonnes  and  Offenboer,  who  change 

sides. 

Chab.  No,  no ! 

Offen.  Not  a  step ! 

Volp.  But  my  lords— my  lords  ! 

Chab.  Your  word  is  pledged. 

Volp.  You  are  ignorant.  I  have  deceived  you! 

Chab.  No  you  have  not,  and  we  do  not  intend  to  give  you  the 

ct)  ance 

Volp.  Listen !  you  hear  those  sounds.  Do  you  know  what  they 
mean  1 

Offen.  Perfectly.  Ha,  ha,  ha !  ,  ,  .A,  ,  ... 

Volp.  The  Knight  of  Arva  is  in  the  royal  chapel  with  her  high¬ 
ness  ! 

Offen.  I  know  it.  Ha,  ha,  ha! 

Volp.  He  is  exacting  from  her  a  pledge —  . 

Chab.  Which  you  shall  not  interrupt.  Remember  your  promise  . 

Volp.  Do  you  know  what  pledge  it  is  ? 

Offen.  I  do.  He  has  won  her  highness  for  the  Archduke,  and  is 
now  receiving  her  troth  for  Austria. 

Volp.  Then  I  have  been  betrayed ! 

Chab.  Be  comforted,  minister,  you  have  a  fellow  sufferer.  I  he 
Knight  is  at  this  moment  employed  in  the  service  of  his  monarch,  and 
has  pledged  his  fealty  to  France. 

Enter  Baroness  l.  in  great  agitation. 

Bar.  My  lords  !  Your  excellencies! 

Volp.  You  have  come  from  the  chapell 

Bar.  From  the  altar,  Hidalgo !  In  the  midst  of  the  ceremony  I 
could  not  restrain  my  horror !  What  words  did  I  hear  1  His  Gravity, 
the  Bishop,  himself  turned  pale  and  hesitated. 

Chab.  Hesitated  to  accept  the  pledge  1 

Bar.  I  was  about  to  appeal,  but  the  monster  ! — 

Chab.  You  allude  to  the  Bishop.  ,  ,  . .  , 

Bar.  No,  Heaven  forbid  !  The  knight.  He  looked  the  unuttered 
words  down  my  throat !  The  bishop  asked  for  his  authority.  I  he 
wretch  drew  that  horrible  long  sword  of  his,  and  laid  it  on  the  altar, 
saying,  11  there  is  your  authority  and  my  witness. 

Volp  And  he  received  the  hand  of  the  princess  as  proxy  for  Eng¬ 
land  1 


*6 


THE  KNIGHT  OF  ARVA. 


j Bar.  No  • 

Offen  For  Austria  1 
Bar.  No! 

Chab.  For  France ? 

Bar.  No ! 

All.  No! 

Volp.  For  whom  then  1 
Bar.  F — F — For  himself! 

Chab.  Himself.  You  do  not  mean  to  say ! — 

Offen.  That  he,  in  propria  persona — 

Bar.  Will  in  a  few  moments  be  the  husband  of  our  princess! 

[ Crosses  r. 

Volp.  And  we  have  been  the  tools  of  an  adventurer. 

Chab.  An  imposter ! 

Offen.  To  the  chapel !  Gentlemen,  let  us  frustrate — 

'Jiie  tapestry  is  lifted  and  an  illuminated  corridor  leading  to  the 
chapel  is  discovered.  A  troop  of  Pages  and  Heralds  enter  rap¬ 
idly.  Arva  appears  leading  the  Princess.  Grand  jlourish. 
Arva.  [ Advancing  with  Princess.]  Your  excellencies  are  satisfied, 
we  trust,  and  we  tender  oui  acknowledgments  to  our  trusty  minister, 
the  Don — 

Chab.  We !  the  fellow  is  a  plural  already. 

Aiva.  France  observed,  I  think — what  did  France  observe  1 
Chab.  Do  you  imagine  my  master  will  acknowledge  this  pro¬ 
ceeding  1 

Offen.  Her  highness  has  been  duped,  imposed  upon. 

I'rin.  Your  excellencies  grant  us  pardon.  We  followed  implicitly 
the  desires  of  your  prime  minister. 

Offen.  (volponel 

Prin.  In  the  name  of  my  people’s  welfare,  and  Europe’s  peace  he 
implored  me — 

Arva.  With  an  honest  conviction  of  your  highness’s  interests,  that 
induces  us  to  beg  his  acceptance  of  our  confidence.  He  will  remain 
in  his  post,  but  as  Duke  of  Lerida. 

Volp.  Duke  of  Lerida,  your  highness  !  [Bows  to  Arva.]  Your  ex¬ 
cellencies,  you  seem  to  have  forgotten  our  agreement. 

Chab.  \  . 

Offen.  {  Agreement  1 

Volp.  Allow  me  to  put  the  question  to  your  highness  by  wbose  re¬ 
ply  your  excellencies  promised  to  be  bound.  Madam,  France  and 
Austria  are  content  to  leave  to  your  sole  uninfluenced  choice  the  dis¬ 
posal  of  your  hand. 

Prin.  It  is  bestowed,  my  lords.  [ Gives  her  hand  to  Arva. 

Offen.  On  an  adventurer — a  Lackland  ! 

Arva.  Are  we  not  Viceroy  of  Catalonia,  under  the  emperor’s  hand 
and  seal  I 

Chab.  Penniless  and  nameless  ! 

Arva.  Oh!  we  are  nameless.  One  moment.  4m  I  not  Knight 


THE  KNIGHT  OP  ARVA. 


27 


companion  of  St.  Iago  of  Compostello,  Knight  Commander  of  St. 
Louis,  Grand  Cross  Knight  companion  of  St.  Iago  of  the  Grand  Eagle, 
first  class,  and  Grand  Star  of  the  Golden  Fleece,  Baron  D’Arva  of 
Valentinais  in  the  county  of  Dauphiny  in  the  Kingdom  of  France,  and 
Tilly  Kilbeggar  in  the  county  Tipperary  in  the  Kingdom  of  Ireland  1 
I  believe  it  would  take  me  till  some  day  in  next  week  before  I  could 
recall  my  baptismal  cognomen  ! 

Chab.  But  you  have  no  ancestors  of  royal  descent. 

Arva.  No.  Our  ancestors  of  royal  descent  are  all  to  come,  but 
don’t  fear,  just  examine  our  geneological  tree,  five  hundred  years 
hence. 

Offcn.  Austria  has  been  duped,  insulted.  I  demand  my  pass¬ 
ports. 

Prin.  Your  Grace  of  Lerida,  grant  his  excell  mcy’s  passports. 

Arva.  Ycur  Grace  of  Lerida,  grant  his  excellency’s  passports  for 
60,000,  so  that  he  may  return  with  them.  By  St.  Patrick,  they  shall 
find  such  a  welcome  in  our  realm,  that  not  one  of  them  shall  leave  it 
again. 

Chab.  Count,  remember  our  pledge  to  each  other.  Your  highness 
[To  Arva]  has  won  the  fairest  jewel  in  all  Christendom.  France 
loves  a  galiant  gentleman  and  can  forgive  a  fall,  if  it  be  given  with 
wit.  By  St.  Louis,  your  bold  adventure  well  told,  would  enlist  a 
thousand  gallant  swords  to  back  your  cause,  and  if  needs  be,  Cha- 
bonnes  will  break  a  lance  or  two  for  the  honor  of  his  sunny  land. 

Arva.  Duke,  if  I  have  crossed  your  path  I  am  heartily  sorry  for  it, 
and  if  Tippitiwitchet  here  can  make  up  for  it  by  giving  you  a  hand¬ 
some  and  a  showy  cut  to  take  back  to  France,  he  is  at  your  service, 
for  pasque  dieu,  as  we  swore  in  Loraine,  you  deserve  a  mark  of  my 
esteem. 

Volp.  In  return  for  the  stars  you  wear  1 

Arva.  Stars !  lie  showered  on  me;  I’m  a  perfect  constellation  ! 

Bar.  Yes,  the  great  Bear! 

OJfen.  Your  highness,  I  ask  nothing  officially  until  I  send  to 
Vienna. 

Arva.  Send  Griffins! 

Prin.  My  lords.  We  bid  no  envoys  leave.  Nor  shall  we  threaten 
idly.  You  came  here  to  demand  my  hand — it  is  refused.  Remain, 
my  lords,  and  grace  our  nuptials  if  it  so  please  you,  you  shall  be 
most  welcome,  or  else  defy  us  and  begone  ! 

Volp.  I  countersign  that  ultimatum  as  president  of  the  council. 

Arva.  And  Tippitiwitchet  makes  his  hole  in  it  as  minister  of  war. 

Offen.  Your  highness,  since  France  and  Britain.  In  fact  I  think- 
may — you — to  receive  Austria’s  compliments.  But  without  preju¬ 
dice — 

Volp.  And  now  my  lord,  having  won  my  admiration  by  your  dex¬ 
terity  and  our  defeat,  may  we  not  gather  from  your  lips,  some  of  the 
golden  precepts  which  guide  your  measures. 

Arva.  Certainly.  Listen  and  remember.  Whenever  you  would 
attain  an  object  that  is  possible,  always  take  your  stand  thus — your 


28 


THE  KNIGHT  OF  ARVA 


■r 


hand  upon  your  hilt,  your  eye  upon  your  honor,  do  not  hurry  time, 
or  bother  Providence.  Then  if  ’ tis  to  be — ’twill  be.  But  never  con* 
suit  the  past,  it  will  only  expose  you ;  never  interfere  with  the  future, 
it  is  insulting  fortune,  but  treat  tne  present  like  a  woman — make 
the  most  of  it.  Spaniards,  Marina  the  Catalan  will  still  reign  alone. 
I,  like  yourselves,  will  be  subject,  but  should  the  foreigners  invade 
her  rights  or  your  liberties,  from  Galway  to  Rome,  from  the  Shan¬ 
non  to  the  Rhine,  there  rides  not  a  freelance  but  will  cry  “To  Horse” 
when  the  war  cry  is  sounded  by  the  poor  Knight  of  Arva. 

PAGES.  HERALDS; 


PRINCESS 

BARONESS. 


ARVA. 

VOLPONH 


OPFBNBOER 

ft. 


CHABONNKS 

I. 


CUB*  « 


.  ■ ' 


ISjjUi-  'fr 


french’s  (late  lacy’s)  descriptive  list. 


PROSCENIUM. 


A  most  effective  Proscenium  can  bo  formed  by 
utilising  tbe  paper  made  for  this  purpose.  Three 
pieces  ot  wood  are  merely  required,  shaped 
according  to  this  design,  and  covered  with  the 
paper ;  the  proscenium  having  the  appearance  oJ 
fio-ht  blue  puffed  satin  panels,  in  gold  frames, 
■with  Shakespearo  medallion  in  the  centre. 

Puffed  satin  paper,  t>ize  20  inches  by  30  inches, 
per  sheet,  25cts. 

Imitation  Gold  Bordering,  per  sheet,  25c. 
making  14  feet.  .  ,  . 

Shakespearian  Medallion,  18  inches  m  di¬ 
ameter,  50cts. 


—These  comprise  three  sheets  of  paper  each,  and 
_  ^t^rTo7  drawing-room  or  cottage  purposes.  Size,  7  feet  by  3  feet. 

mpMe,  *  irjrjr  —This  is  a  parlour  window  formed  with  two  shesM 

SSSisiwaw 

ice^$1^0,  co^ete^  ^ig  ^  ^  madQ  wifch  tw0  sheets  of  paper. 

bufsh^Tilf  &not  be  required  a  fire-papar  'in  be  hung  oref 

16  'VmnOT  ^a^m^y ^ays^herTa^replace  is^x^^ensable^^^^purchasha* 


MAKE-UP  BOX 


!llBLUE.'ill|;llj 


jjiBouceal 


[HchboMeI 


iRJDDY  r< 


tiMPKcouPdij: 


ilWHlTlMC'itij 


MTMOMYi 


1  wol-‘ 


cream: 


%  -sr 

|P 

i|  CORK.) 

AGTUJB 


PKIC'E,  15cts.  EACH. 


NEW 


Bitter  Beckoning 
Eileen  Oge 
Bathing 
An  Old  Score 
My  Sister  from  India 
Maria  Martin 
Among  the  Relics 
Nabob  for  an  Hour 
An  Old  Man 
Village  Nightingale 
Our  Nelly 
Partners  for  Life 
Chopstick  and  Spikin3 
Chiselling 

Birds  in  their  Little  Nests 
Pretty  Predicament 
Seven  Sins 
Insured  at  Lloyd’s 
Hand  and  Glove 
Keep  Yon  r  Eye.  on  He** 

Ji  ssamy’s  Courtship 
False  Alarm 
U p  in  the  World 
Parted 

One. in  Hand,  &c. 

Li;  tie  Sunshine 
Who’ll  Lend  me  a  Wife 
Extremes  Meet 
^gldfen  Plough 
ethearts 
■et  and  Bags 
for  Partner 
t’s  Alarm 

ppeal  to  tVtq  feelings 
of  a  Comet 
False  Colors 


,1th  ropy 
Vixens 
bone 

ate  to  Sav© 
Just  My  Luck 
Grateful  Father 
Happy  Medium 
Sole  Survivor 
Neck  or  Nothing 


Poppleton’s  Predicaments 
Auld  Acquaintance 
Weeds 

White  Pilgrim 
Dentist’s  Clerk 
Lancers 
Lucille 

Rand  all’s  Thumb 
Wicked  World 
Two  Orphans 
’Twixt  Axe  and  Crown 
■Wonderful  Woman 
Curious  Case  ' 

Forty  Winks 
Lady  Clancariy 
Never  Too  Late  to  Mend 
Lily  of  France 
Led  Astray,  25'cts. 

Horry  V.,  new  version 
Unequal  Match  ■ 

May,  or  Dolly’s  Delusion 
As  Like  as  Two  Peas 
Court  Cards 
Happy  Land 
Allatoona 
Enoch  Arden 
Weak  Woman 
How  She  Loves  Him 
Our  Society 
Mother-in-Law 
Snowed  In 
Terrible  Tinker 
My  Uncle’s  Will 
Our  Friends 
Queen  of  Hearts 
Lady  of  Lyons  Married 
and  Settled 
Bitter  Cold 
Peacock’s  Holiday 
Daisy  Farm 
Wrinkles 
Lancashire  Lass 
On  an  Island 
Q.  E.  D. 

Withered  Leaves 
Ruth’s  Romance 


Old  Sailor 
Pampered  Menials 
Noblesse  Oblige 
Lad  from  the  Country 
Not  False  but  Fickle 
Infatuation 
Davenport  Bros.  &  Co. 
Freezing  a  Mother-in-3 
That  Dreadful  Doctcw 
Plot  for  Plot 
Our  Relatives 
Engaged 
My  Awful  Dad 
On  Bail 
Tom  Cobb 
Bow  Bells 
Married  for  Money 
Eunnibone’s  Fix 
Patter  versus  ClatteL* 
For  her  Child’s  Sake 
Married  in  Haste 
Our  Boys 
Which 

My  Father’s  Will 

Daniel  Rochat 

Caste 

School 

Home 

Da  vid  Garrick 
Ours 

Social  Glass 
Daniel  Druce 
Pinafore 
Old  3oldier 
My  Daughter’s  Debut. 
Word  of  Honor 
Sold  Again 
Guy  Fawkes 
Little  Madcap 
Handsome  Jack 
Scarlet  Dick 
Wedding  March 
My  Wife’s  Father’s  Sis 
His  Novice 
Much  too  Clever 
Hamlet  Improved 


ARTICLES,  NEEDED  BY  AMATEUES, 


Such  as  ableaux  Lights.  Magnesium  Tableaux  Lights,  Prepared  Bv 
Cork,  Grease,  Paints,  Lightning  for  Private  Theatricals. 


Guide  to  Selecting  Plays,  Hints  on  Costnme,  Scenery  to  fit  any  Stage. 


Jarley’s  Wax  ‘Works,  Ethiopian  Plays,  CharadG3,  Amateur’s  Guide,  Guide 

the  Stage. 


isTetw  o^T^-XjOca-rrE!  isai^sri1 

SAMUEL  FRENCH  &  SON, 


